Bookholder



Dec. 30, 1930. c. J. HILKEY ,786.5.67

BOOK HOLDER Filed Sept. 14, 19 28 Patented Dec. 30, 1930 UNITED STATES CHARLES JOSEPH HILKEY, OF EMORY, GEORGIA BOOKI-IOLDER Application filed September 14, 1928. Serial No. 305,926.

My; invention relates to book holders of the type of my prior Patent No. 1,357,053, issued October 26, 1921, and has for its obj ect generally to improve upon that construc- 5 tion without departing from the general principles involved in the invention of that patent.

Another object is to simplify and cheapen the bearing which carries the line guide rod without sacrificing any of the advantageous features of the bearing of my former construction.

More specifically, with reference to the last mentioned object, it is my object to eliminate entirelythe use of rollers in connection with the line guide rod bearing.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a simple and effective device for moving the line guide in consecutive and separated movements of equal distances. This feature of my invention will be hereinafter referred to as the spacer and its fundamental principle is to accurately move the line guide in one movement a distance corresponding to the space between two consecutive lines of reading matter or any predetermined space which the user may desire.

A further object is to provide an adjust able device for regulating the length of movement imparted to the line guide in one movement of the spacer. It is my purpose in this connection to provide a gauge which can be adjusted or' set preliminary to the operation of the spacer and which will then cooperate with the spacer so as to regulate the extent of movement of the spacer each time it is actuated and to maintain said extent of movement uniform.

' With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar side elevation of a modified form of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a detail, sectional view taken on the line 83 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail, sectional view taken on the line H of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 5 is a detail view in plan of the upper end of the line guide bearing bracket illustrating the spring adjustment.

Fig. 6 is a detail view taken as indicated by the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the line guide.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of a modified form of the line guide bearing.

The book holder of my former patent hereinbefore referred to comprises generally a pedestal including a base 10 and an upright post 11 to the upper end of which is pivoted a supporting frame herein indicated generally by the reference character A.

The supporting frame A serves the dual purpose of supporting the equalizer, herein referred to generally by the reference char acter B and at its upper end of carrying the line guide mechanism referred to generally by the reference character C.

The post 11 at its upper end is flattened to receive the support A, which in the present invention is formed of a single length of flat bar metal, the lower portion 12 of which is hinged by means of a screw or the like 13 to the post 11. The screw 13 is preferably formed as a thumb screw as shown in order that the engagement of the post 11 and the portion 12 of the support may be tightened to provide a frictional gripping engagement whereby the support may be set at any desired angle and securely locked in that position.

The support A is twisted at 14c at to the portion 12 to form the upper portion 15 to which is secured the central arm 16 of the equalizer B. The arm 16 is bent at substantialiy right angles to the portion 15 and comprises a flat bar, the main portion of which is positioned in a plane which also is at right angles to the plane of the portion 15.

The equalizer B is of the general type shown in the aforementioned prior patent and includes the book support members 21. The upper end of the support A is bent upwardly as at 23 and extends to a point substantially above the planes of the book supports 21.

To the upper end of the portion 23 of the support is hinged the line guide rod bearing comprising a pair of sleeves 24, each formed with the extended ears 25 (Figs. 1 and at) and the bearing bracket member 26, riveted. to the cars 25 and holding them in spaced relation. In the construction shown, the bracket member 26 is reinforced by the plate 27, secured to the ears 25 on their sides opposite the member 26. The upwardly projecting portion 23 of the support 15 is thence hinged by a bolt or pintle 27 between the bracket 26 and. r plate 27.

The line guide C comprises the bearing just described, a rod 28, slidabl in the sleeves 24 and frictionally engaged by them and a guide rule 29, hinged to the lower end of the rod 28.

Theguide rule 29 is illustrated in Fig. and is formed of a length of spring metal, curved as shown and provided with a central yoke 30 to receive the rod 28, the latter being hinged thereto by means of a pintle 31.

The rule 29 is of light, flexible material and is adapted to be flattened against the page of a book under pressure produced by a spring 32, secured to the line guide rod bearing below the hinge 27 and to a hook 33. The.

hook 33 is provided with a threaded shank 34, extended through the support 15 and adjust ed by means of a nut 35, whereby the tension of the spring 32 may be varied.

The pressure of the spring 32 acts down wardly against the rod 28 through the medium of the rod bearing and causes the rule 29 to conform to the surface of the book which it engages, thereby causing the rule to lie flat against the page at all points across the width of the page.

\Vhere the spacer is not employed, the

bearing is formed as a single elongated sleeve 36, shown 1n Fig. 8, provided with the cars 37, between which is pivoted at 38 the por-' tion 23 of the support. In previous structures, as far as I am aware, in every case the bearing for the line guide rod has been hinged to the support at a point below the planes of the book holders 21 by means of a projecting arm, formed as part of the bearing. Such is the structure of my prior patent already referred to.

I have discovered that the rollers which were found necessary in order to prevent binding between the rod and the bearing in a prior structure, may be dispensed with by positioning the hinge closely adjacent the axis of the rod, as in the present construction. This is due to the fact that there is much less tendency for the rod to bind in the bearing sleeve when the hinge axis of the sleeve is positioned close to the rod than where it is positioned at a substantial distance from the rod, as in the prior structures. Consequently, it is possible to employ a friction sleeve in place of the rollers for slidably mounting the rod and in so doing, the structure is considerably simplified. Further more, the rod is more securely held in its adjusted position by the friction sleeve than by the rollers.

It will be understood that the bearing shownin Fig. 8 is the equivalent of the hearing shown in F igs. 1 and 2 in all respects with the exception that it is not suitably constructed so that the spacer may be combined with it. Inthe same way the bearing shown in Figs. 1 and 2 isthe full equivalent of the bearing shown in Fig. 8.

The spacer comprises a jaw39, adapted to embrace the rod 28 on at least two sides and preferably formed as a sleeve encircling the rod. The jaw is provided with a pro j ecting portion 40, extending from the jaw a distance greater than the width of the aw.

The spacer includes an actuating device comprising a rod 1-1, positioned substantially parallel to the support and a lever 42, to one end of which the rod ll is linked. The other end of the rod ll is linked to the projecting portion 40 of the aw 39. (Fig.

The lever 42 is hinged at its lower end as at 43 to the lower end of the lower portion 12 of the support. The rod -il-1 is linked to the lever 42 intermediate its ends.

It will now be seen that by pulling forwardly and downwardly against the lever 42' that the rod 41 will be pulled downwardly in a direction parallel to the support and that pressure forwardly and downwardly against the projecting portion 40 of the jaw 39 will be exerted. Owing to the length of the portion 40, this pressure will have a twisting action against the jaw, causing it to bind against the rod 28 and thereby to grip the rod. I have discovered that the action of the jaw against the rod is so immediate and so uniform that the distance which the rod is moved under the influence of further movement of the lever 42 after the jaw 39 has grasped the rod will vary uniformly in pro-- portion to the distance which the lever l2 is moved.

By regulating the distance to which the lever 42 may be moved, it is therefore pos-- sible to regulate the distance that he leverwill move the rule 29. This is accomplished by means of a gauge comprising a bar 4:4, provided with slots 45 and 4:6, respectively, to receive the bolts 43 and 4-7, respectively.- The bolt 47 has a thumb nut 48 (Fig. 6) by means of which the bar 4 may be ldcked iii any of its adjusted positions.

The lower end of the bar 44 is bent laterally to form a stop 49, interposed in the path of movement of the lever 42 and ad justable as to distance from the lever by the movement of the bar 44.

It is thought to be obvious that downward movement of the lever 42 will be limited by its engagement with the stop 49. Upward movement of the lever 42 is, of course, limited by engagement of the jaw 39 with the upper sleeve 24.

A spring 50 is secured to the projecting portion l0 intermediate the jaw39 and the end of the portion Q0 and to an adjustable link 51, received through an ear 52, which is bent laterally from the upper end of the bracket 26. A thumb nut 53 is used to adjust the link 51 for varying the tension against the spring 50.

The spring 50 serves the double purpose of returning the actuating portion of the spacer to the normal position shown in Fig. 1 and that of maintaining the jaw 39 nor mally in a position in engagement with the upper sleeve 24. This initial position is essential in order that the movement of the line guide may be accurately gauged, the jaw starting each time from the same position and moving a predetermined distance downwardly.

The spring 50 also serves to return the jaw 39 after it has been moved away from the sleeve 24. i

In the modified form shown in Fig. 2, the spring 50 is replaced. by the springs 55 and 56, the former encircling the rod 28 between the lower sleeve 24 and the 39 and serving to return the aw 39 to engagement with the upper sleeve 24- and the latter being secured between the lever 42 and a suitable connecting device 57 maintaining the spring 56 under tension in a position to draw the lever 42 upwardly.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a book holder, book supports, a supporting frame, a bearing carried by the frame, above the planes of the book supports near their upper ends, said bearing including spaced sleeves, a line guide including a guide bar and a guide rod secured to said bar and slidable in said sleeves, and a spacer comprising a jaw embracing the rod between the sleeves, and provided with a projecting portion, an actuating device positioned to exert a pull against the projecting portion of the jaw in such a manner as to twist the jaw into gripping engagement with the rod.

2. In a book holder, book supports, a supporting frame, a bearing carried by the frame, above the planes of the book supports near their upper ends, said bearing including spaced sleeves, a line guide including a guide bar and a guide rod secured to said bar and slldable in said sleeves, and a spacer compr1s-' ing a aw embracing the rod between the sleeves, and provided with a projecting portion, an actuating device positioned to exert a pull against the projecting portion of the jaw in such a manner as to twist the j awinto gripping engagement with the rod, and

resilient means to maintain the actuating device in an initial position from which it may be manually moved to operate the jaw.

3. In a book hold-er, book supports, a supporting frame, a bearing carried by the frame, above the planesof the book supports near their upper ends, said bearing including spaced sleeves, a line guide including a guide bar and a guiderod secured to said bar and slidable in said sleeves, and a spacer comprising a jaw embracing the rod between the sleeves, and provided with a projecting portion, an actuating device positioned to exert a pull against the projecting portion of the jaw in such a manner as to twist the jaw into gripping engagement with the rod, and

resilient means to maintain the jaw in engagement with the upper sleeve, and to thereby position it to allow the rod to slide freely.

4. In a book holder, inclined book supports,

a supporting frame extending near the upper and lower ends of the book supports, a bearing carried by the frame, above the planes of the book supports near their upper ends,

prising a rod linked to the projecting portion and extending to a point near the lower extremities of the book holders, and a lever hinged to the supporting frame and linked to said rod.

5. In a book holder, an inclined support, book supports positioned above said inclined support in planes parallel thereto, said in clined support being bent upwardly at its upper end to a position substantially above the planes of the book supports, a friction hearing including a bearing sleeve and a depending ear hinged to said inclined support above the planes of the book supports, and near the axis of the sleeve, a line guide including a guide bar and a guide rod secured to said bar and slidable in said sleeve and a spring extending between the inclined support and the friction bearing, tending to pull the line guide downwardly.

6. In a book holder, a supporting frame, book supports positioned above said supporting frame'in inclined positions, one on either side thereof and connected to an intermediate portion thereof, said supporting frame havin a portion bent upwardly to a position su stantially above the plane of the book supports near the upper ends thereof, a friction bearing including a bearing sleeve and a dependingear hingedto said upwardly extended portion of the supporting frame above the planes of the book supports and near the axis of the sleeve and a line guide including a guide bar and a guide rod secured to said bar and slidable in said sleeve.

7. In a book holder, a supporting frame, book supports positioned above said supporting frame in inclined positions, one on either side thereof and connected to an intermediate portion thereof,said supporting frame having a portion bent upwardly to a position substantially above the plane of the book supports near the upper ends thereof, a friction bearing including a bearing sleeve and a dependingear hingedto said upwardly extended portion of the supporting frame above the planes of the book supports and near the axis of the sleeve, a line guide including a guide bar and a guide rod secured to said bar and slidable in said sleeve, and a spring extending between the inclined support and the friction bearing, tending to pull the line guide downwardly.

Signed this 6th day of September, 1928, in Tompkins County, N. Y.

CHARLES JOSEPH HILKEY. 

